The ECB rates Gooch as "one of the best international batting coaches"

Former England captain Graham Gooch has remained non-committal about working with Andy Flower's squad after the first Test in South Africa.

Essex batting coach Gooch is to work with the England batsmen ahead of the first Test against the Proteas in Centurion, which starts on 16 December.

"Initially it's helping out on a temporary basis - that's what Andy has asked me to do," Gooch told BBC 5 live.

"We need to see how we go from here and let the future take care of itself."

When Gooch's temporary appointment was announced, England and Wales Cricket Board managing director Hugh Morris described the former Essex batsman as "one of the best batting coaches in international cricket".

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But asked whether he was interested in a permanent role, Gooch replied: "I don't think that's a possibility at the moment.

"I'm very happy to help the England set-up, having played, selected and coached with the team.

"I've always been keen on producing players from the Essex set-up for England and to be here working with some of them is a great honour."

England team director Flower is a former Essex batsman, while Essex batsman Alastair Cook is England vice-captain.

England are now in East London as the team prepares for the tour match against South Africa Airways XI, which starts on Wednesday 9 December, with the first Test starting a week later at Centurion.

Gooch has been cited as a leading influence in the careers of Cook and Ravi Bopara - and was also able to resurrect Ronnie Irani's career when the player moved from Lancashire to Essex.

In a Test career spanning 21 years, Gooch hit an English record 8,900 Test runs.

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